R
Russell A.
Scout
Scout100 Mile View Camping
What a great place. So unique! Love the view, and a great experience! There are no hook ups, so be prepared but if you are looking for the dispersed camping experience you have found it. What a gem!
Camping near Tunkhannock, PA
29 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Northeastern Pennsylvania's Tunkhannock area features diverse camping options within a short drive of town. Cozy Creek Family Campground and Stony Mountain Family Campground provide year-round and seasonal accommodations directly in Tunkhannock, while several state parks lie within 30-45 minutes of the borough. Ricketts Glen State Park, approximately 25 miles west, stands out with its highly-rated campground and famous Falls Trail featuring 22 named waterfalls. Lackawanna State Park to the east offers electric hookups and lakeside camping, while Frances Slocum State Park to the south provides a quieter alternative with wooded sites. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with many offering cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort.
Reservations are essential during the peak season from late spring through early fall, with many campgrounds operating on a limited schedule outside this window. Cell service can be spotty in the more remote areas, particularly at Ricketts Glen where visitors note "cell phone reception is very spotty once you get off of 80 and in the park area." Pennsylvania state parks enforce strict quiet hours (typically 9pm-8am) and many prohibit alcohol consumption outside vehicles. Water quality occasionally presents challenges, as one camper at Ricketts Glen reported: "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off." Summer weekends bring crowds to the more popular destinations, especially those with swimming areas and waterfalls.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region, with lakes and streams providing recreational opportunities. "Some sites are right on the lake, just put the kayak on the shore, and you're ready for an early morning paddle," notes one visitor to Promised Land State Park. Site privacy varies considerably between campgrounds and even within different loops of the same park. A Frances Slocum camper highlighted this variation: "We had site 44 in the Stony Point loop and it was by far the largest campsite on the property. We had a thick covered wooded area to our right and a huge grassy area to the left." Insects can be problematic during warmer months, with ticks and mosquitoes mentioned in several reviews, particularly near water features.
Best Campgrounds near Tunkhannock (155)
1. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground
"The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"
"Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."
14 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $15 - $92 / night
2. Lackawanna State Park Campground
"The sites were a little close to each other and where we were in the park was a mixed use area. So we had an RV next to us with the Genny running all day."
"The main reason we didn't do more was the distance. We have a motorhome so we didn't have additional vehicles to get to and from places."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $90 / night
3. Frances Slocum State Park Campground
"Was also an easy back in site as there’s an adjacent road (to parking and the amphitheater) right in front of it. All sites only have electric and only certain allow pets."
"Large, wooded sites, good bathhouse, nice trails close by. A little highway noise, but dark and quiet at night. Very peaceful place."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $48 / night
4. Cozy Creek Family Campground
"Campground is based around kids, there’s a lot for them to do!"
Check Availabilityfrom $17 / night
5. Highland Campgrounds
"This campground was very nice and had so much hiking in and around it. They were very helpful with getting us a site since it was so last minute on a holiday weekend Will be visiting again"
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $100 / night
6. Stony MT Family Campground
7. Slumber Valley Campground
"The campground is located close to market- a 3 minute drive into town for any food you may need."
8. Shore Forest Campground
9. Keen Lake Resort Campground
"I stayed on a lakeside electric/water site for 5 nights in August 2020. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. We had SUPs and kayaks to take on the lake and our sites were right next to the boat launch. "
"We didn’t have a view of the lake, instead we were in someone’s back yard lol. It wasn’t a big deal. The site was well maintained and flat which were the most important."
10. Hickory Run State Park Campground
"Great location lots of hiking trails right in the park and many more close by"
"Hickory Run is in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. We had a full hook-up site in the back loop, pet friendly part of the campground. "
64 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $20 - $72 / night
Drive Time
- 33 min from Scranton, PA
- 57 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 23 min from Elmira, NY
- 1 hr 23 min from Williamsport, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Tunkhannock, PA
263 Photos of 155 Tunkhannock Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
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Recent Reviews near Tunkhannock, PA
598 Reviews of 155 Tunkhannock Campgrounds
Nancy W.
LegendHickory Run State Park Campground
Peaceful State Park Camping in the Fall
This is a large campground with a wide array of campsites so be careful attention when you book online, especially if you have a pet because some sites are not pet-friendly. Some are 50-amp full hook-up and some are primitive with no hook-ups.
There is a nice nature center with interesting interpretive exhibits and lots of informational brochures including ones about the hiking trails, bears, scat and tracks of local animals, and fishing. Our site was at the edge of the campground and backed up to Route 534 which resulted in a bit of road noise at our site. Other than the road noise the campground was pretty quiet and was not very crowded when we camped there in October.
Not all sites are level and we happened to book one that was not and we had to live with a slant for our stay. The roads in the park are gravel/dirt and since it rained the day we arrived the roads were a muddy mess which made the roads slippery and there were lots of potholes. Unfortunately, some campers were disrespectful and left bags of trash in the fire pit and scattered around their site which was totally unnecessary because there were dumpsters plenty of dumpsters in the campground. Since we camped at Hickory Run late in the season, there were no camp hosts and the trash never got picked up.
The campground is open from mid-April to mid-December; however, the shower facilities and dump station are not available after the third week of October so plan accordingly. We really like the hiking trails which are of varying degrees of difficulty and lengths. The Hawk Falls is a nice easy walk (1.4 miles round-trip) to a waterfall but is extremely popular so don’t think you will be admiring the falls alone. The parking lot at this trail head fills up fast so you better get there early if you want to get a spot.
You can enter the park from two different directions. If you have a big-rig, it is best to approach from the east side. We made the mistake of coming in from the west side as we dropped down from I-80 and came down 534 and the road was really windy with no shoulder. Luckily, there was very little traffic so we could go 10 mph and safely navigate the roads.
Be aware alcohol is not allowed in PA state parks. This park does allow hunting in certain sections of the park. The no-hunting areas are clearly marked with white no hunting signs on trees and you can also pick up a brochure from the office that designates hunting and no-hunting sections.
Tony F.
Guide100 Mile View Camping
The best views
This is a hidden gem, as close to dispersed camping you can get with dirt, gravel roads, large stone fire pits, a amazing views with the added benefit of a five gallon jug of non potable water and very clean port-a-potties. The owner regularly patrols the site and makes sure everything is okay.
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.LegendRicketts Glen State Park Campground
Beautiful Falls!
What a great campground! We stayed here on a recommendation from a friend after the Overland Expo. Great hiking trails and the falls were absolutely breathtaking. Truly enjoyed our stay and plan to return!
- WWill W.Guide
Lackawanna State Park Campground
Car camping
Stayed October 14 without reservations because website showed lots of availability. Office was closed (M-F 8-4) so submitted honor system envelope with cash and stayed at Site 041 on Carpenter loop. Shower building was a short walk and was spacious enough. Water temp didn’t quite reach hot but was warm enough.
Electric kept on tripping breaker.
- jjeanne A.Guide
Council Cup Campground
Better than nothing
Small campground with rude owner. Everything I asked about was putting her out. It was cheap though at $36 for water and electric with a military discount.
Daniel C.ScoutHillside Campgrounds
Stay away... Unless you like 70 y/o men acting like high schoolers
This clothing-optional campground has a highly toxic, intrusive, and vindictive environment. During my stay, the seasonal permanent residents('perms') subjected me to intense harassment, inappropriate sexual advances, and severe social retaliation/rumor-spreading when those advances were rejected. The situation escalated to the point where an employee had to intervene for my safety. Furthermore, despite management allowing my photo to be taken in costume at a party, I was intentionally blocked from the community group where the photos were posted, leaving me unable to monitor how my image was being used. Avoid this place if you value your privacy, personal boundaries, and safety.
Kathy L.
RangerHickory Run State Park Campground
Beautiful forest
Gorgeous forested area in the Poconos. We stayed on the Rattlesnake Loop which was lovely. Sites not super private but most nestled in trees. The only bummer was that that Campground Loop didn’t have any direct links to the trail network and was far from it. The other Campground Loop was closer to trails and office. Would return!
- NNick H.Scout
Indian Head Campground
Newbie here
Was my first ever camping trip with a travel trailer. Site was very clean and well maintained and staff was friendly and great to deal with. Pull through sites (section K) was a little tight - maybe that’s the norm, don’t have anything to compare to but some awnings were near the neighboring camper. Overall, awesome experience.
Guide to Tunkhannock
Tunkhannock sits along the Susquehanna River in northeastern Pennsylvania's Wyoming County at an elevation of 614 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Spring brings frequent rainfall that keeps the surrounding forests and streams vibrant, creating ideal conditions for late spring through fall camping when most area campgrounds operate at full capacity.
What to do
Waterfall hiking at Ricketts Glen State Park: Located about 25 miles from Tunkhannock, Ricketts Glen State Park offers extensive trail systems with 44 miles of trails rated from easy to difficult. "The hike is definitely not for the easily winded people, or anyone with bad knees, the hike down was pretty steep at some points but very well maintained! and the hike back up was again steep but maintained!" notes reviewer Anne P.
Boulder Field exploration: The unique natural formation at Hickory Run State Park provides an unusual outdoor adventure. "The boulder field was the highlight of our camping trip. The campground has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional (if dirty and rustic) restrooms and showers," states reviewer Shayna, who recommends visiting this geological wonder approximately 45 miles from Tunkhannock.
Creek activities: Enjoy fishing and wading in local waterways at Cozy Creek Family Campground, located directly in Tunkhannock. "My son and I camp here every year. Great fishing, clean facilities and friendly, super helpful staff," reports John Z., highlighting the accessible water recreation options available without leaving town.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Campground selection often depends on site size and spacing. "We had site 44 in the Stony Point loop and it was by far the largest campsite on the property. We had a thick covered wooded area to our right and a huge grassy area to the left," notes Jackie F. about her stay at Frances Slocum State Park.
Lake recreation: Multiple lakes near Tunkhannock offer various water activities. Reviewer Janet R. describes Lackawanna State Park as "an amazing state park that has something for everyone. There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails." The park is approximately 20 miles east of Tunkhannock.
Extensive trail networks: Hiking opportunities abound throughout the region. "Great hiking! There are various trails for all skill levels, and pets are welcome!" writes Lexi about Ricketts Glen State Park, highlighting the accessibility options available to hikers of different abilities.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience occasional water issues. At Ricketts Glen, seasonal testing sometimes reveals problems: "The water had been tested earlier in the season and unsafe levels of manganese were detected. All water spigots were shut off and covered but we were told it was safe to wash our dishes and brush our teeth."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. "Site was pretty nice, but there is very little privacy as the sites are so close to each other. Also no service (Verizon)," reports T K. about their stay at Ricketts Glen State Park.
Reservation requirements: Especially for summer weekends, securing sites well in advance is essential. "We had a reservation, we received a phone call in advance of our stay letting us know about this," notes one Ricketts Glen camper regarding water issues, demonstrating that reservations enable campground staff to communicate important updates.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Highland Campgrounds in nearby Dalton offers family-friendly facilities. "Whether it's nature and back roads, or wanting to have a dip in the pool and lay in the sun, this campground is the best of both worlds. Playground is also older but also gives off the vintage look with some of the older, older swings and sit spin," writes Jennifer R.
Swimming options: Multiple water recreation choices exist for families with children. "The park has great playgrounds, several well-marked trails, and functional (if dirty and rustic) restrooms and showers," reports a visitor to Hickory Run State Park, adding that "the visitors center boasts the most modern updates and a truly lovely interactive museum displaying the history and current wildlife of the park."
Educational opportunities: Some parks provide learning activities. "There is an environmental education center with programs, there is fishing and boating, and an amazing network of hiking and horse riding trails," notes Janet R. about Lackawanna State Park, highlighting structured educational options for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Check electrical service capacity when booking. "Two electric hookups would trip the 50 amp circuit breaker on any load about 30 amps, which means the hookups are old and unmaintained," warns David about his experience at Lackawanna State Park.
Site access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry and exit routes. "A little difficult to get out of the campground though. We basically had to wait in line for 20 minutes while a couple people in front of us were trying to get out of their sites," observes Gayle B. about Shore Forest Campground near Hop Bottom.
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies between campgrounds and even between loops. "Our full hookup site was large with table and fire ring, and required some leveling. Not much shade in the full hookup loop, so was happy to have electricity for A/C," notes James S. about his experience at Ricketts Glen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are available in Tunkhannock, PA?
What campgrounds are available in Tunkhannock, PA?
Tunkhannock and the surrounding area offer several campground options. Cozy Creek Family Campground is located near Tunkhannock with drive-in access and amenities including water and toilets. Stony MT Family Campground is another option in the Tunkhannock area. Within a short drive, you'll find several state parks with camping facilities, including Lackawanna State Park and Ricketts Glen. Many of these campgrounds offer reservable sites, so it's recommended to book in advance, especially during peak summer months.
Are there RV rental options in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania?
Are there RV rental options in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania?
While there aren't dedicated RV rental businesses directly in Tunkhannock, nearby options exist. Some campgrounds in the region offer on-site rental units. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground is a gated facility not far from Tunkhannock that accommodates RVs and may have rental information. Mount Pocono Campground in the Poconos region is another option with RV accommodations. Alternatively, check with regional RV dealers in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre who often provide rental services, or use online RV rental marketplaces that connect you with local RV owners.
What amenities does Rustic Creek Family Campground in Tunkhannock offer?
What amenities does Rustic Creek Family Campground in Tunkhannock offer?
While specific information about Rustic Creek Family Campground is limited in available reviews, similar family campgrounds in the region like Slumber Valley Campground near Meshoppen typically offer basic amenities including water hookups, toilet facilities, and designated camping sites. For family-oriented amenities in the region, Salt Springs State Park Campground provides natural features and is maintained by a local friends group. To confirm exact amenities at Rustic Creek, it's recommended to call them directly as offerings can change seasonally, particularly regarding swimming areas, recreation facilities, and hook-up availability.
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